Map of Ireland showing where the Chatterton arms are recorded
The Chatterton arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Chatterton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Chatterton Family in Ireland
The Chatterton family name originated in England, but it became deeply rooted in Irish history during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were firmly established in County Cork, a period marked by significant political upheaval and land redistribution in Ireland. These early settlers were often part of the administrative and military apparatus that moved from England to secure influence in the region. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local social fabric, eventually becoming prominent landowners and civic leaders in the city of Cork. Their presence in the area was not merely as temporary residents but as a family that helped shape the economic and political landscape of southern Ireland for generations. This transition from newcomers to established members of the Irish gentry illustrates how families of English origin adapted to their new environment while maintaining their distinct identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a cross potent or”
CambridgeshireCambridgeshire, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Chatterton arms are recorded
The Chatterton arms were recorded in Cambridgeshire, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Chatterton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cambridgeshire.
Origin & History of the Chatterton Family in England
The surname Chatterton originates from a locative source, meaning it was likely taken by individuals who lived in or near a place called Chatterton. While the most famous location of this name is in Lancashire, the family established a notable presence in Cambridgeshire by at least 1620. During this era, the name was often associated with families of yeoman or gentry status who held land and participated in local governance. As the family moved across English counties, they integrated into the agricultural and social structures of their new communities. The persistence of the name in parish registers from the early seventeenth century suggests that the Chattertons were well-settled members of the rural population who played a steady role in the local history of the region.
Chatterton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ceaster
Old English term for a Roman fort or walled town.
This name
ChattertonDerived from a place name meaning settlement or farmstead near a Roman fort.
also spelled
Chattarton
Chatertone
Chattirtone
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Caulfield, Richard, The Council Book of the Corporation of the City of Cork, 1876
Gibson, Charles Bernard, The History of the County and City of Cork, 1861
National Archives of Ireland, Records of the Prerogative Court of Armagh, 1645–1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
